PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Martin (ranked 1111 p4p, 39 weight class) and Winchester Blackard (ranked 277 p4p, 12 weight class). The key to victory for Frank Martin has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Martin
vs
Blackard

178 cm
26
178 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

180 cm
26
190 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Martin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Winchester Blackard!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blackard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Martin!
Martin tries to improve position but can't.

Blackard is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Martin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Blackard thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Blackard is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Martin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Martin tries to buck Blackard off but Blackard is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin sneaks back into half guard.
Blackard has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Blackard controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin is trying to escape the mount.

Blackard jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Martin manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Blackard working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Blackard tries to advance to mount but Martin denies him.
Martin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Martin tries to roll over but Blackard keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Martin gets back to full guard.
Blackard has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Fist of Fury Training Center. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Blackard drops back looking for a leg! Martin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Martin manages to kick Blackard off! Blackard jumps back into Martin's guard.
Martin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Martin looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Blackard passes into half guard.
Martin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Martin.

Martin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Blackard trying to control but Martin is working from the bottom.
Martin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackard stands and throws Martin's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Blackard is trying to get an arm triangle but Martin is defending well.
Martin is looking to regain half guard here but Blackard keeps moving and retains side control.

Blackard has hold of Martin's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Martin tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Blackard cranks the arm and Martin screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Martin, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Winchester Blackard!
After the fight, Winchester Blackard was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.